Abstract
Data from experimental studies suggest that vitamin D receptor activation exerts anti-cancer effects on virtually all steps of carcinogenesis. Epidemiological data support an inverse association of vitamin D serum levels and vitamin D receptor polymorphisms with cancer incidence and mortality. Based on this promising rationale for use of vitamin D and its analogues in cancer prevention and treatment, several interventional studies have been initiated and partially published. Trials with vitamin D were mainly organized for the prevention of fracture in elderly people, usually in association with calcium supplements. Prevention studies with vitamin D have rarely been done in the context of vitamin D to evaluate a protective effect on cancer. Findings from prospective cohort studies on colorectal cancer risk and on mortality constitute pieces of evidence strong enough to consider that previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of vitamin D use and cancer may not have correctly addressed the question, and that new randomized trials should be organized. The reasons are due to several unsolved issues including selection of the effective dose, varying baseline levels of subjects before randomization, compliance with the intervention, contamination of the placebo group (i.e., intake of vitamin D supplements by subjects allocated to the placebo group) and unknown effective lag time between start of the intervention and disease onset. The present review summarizes the existing knowledge on vitamin D RCTs and cancer. In addition we also briefly describe the design of some ongoing trials on vitamin D supplementation and cancer.
Keywords: Vitamin D, Randomized Controlled Trials, Cancer Mortality, Cancer Incidence, vitamin D serum level, ergocalciferol, Cochrane meta-analysis, Osteoporotic Fractures, coronary heart disease, serum 25(OH)D
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Vitamin D Supplementation and Cancer: Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Volume: 13 Issue: 1
Author(s): Matteo Lazzeroni, Davide Serrano, Stefan Pilz and Sara Gandini
Affiliation:
Keywords: Vitamin D, Randomized Controlled Trials, Cancer Mortality, Cancer Incidence, vitamin D serum level, ergocalciferol, Cochrane meta-analysis, Osteoporotic Fractures, coronary heart disease, serum 25(OH)D
Abstract: Data from experimental studies suggest that vitamin D receptor activation exerts anti-cancer effects on virtually all steps of carcinogenesis. Epidemiological data support an inverse association of vitamin D serum levels and vitamin D receptor polymorphisms with cancer incidence and mortality. Based on this promising rationale for use of vitamin D and its analogues in cancer prevention and treatment, several interventional studies have been initiated and partially published. Trials with vitamin D were mainly organized for the prevention of fracture in elderly people, usually in association with calcium supplements. Prevention studies with vitamin D have rarely been done in the context of vitamin D to evaluate a protective effect on cancer. Findings from prospective cohort studies on colorectal cancer risk and on mortality constitute pieces of evidence strong enough to consider that previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of vitamin D use and cancer may not have correctly addressed the question, and that new randomized trials should be organized. The reasons are due to several unsolved issues including selection of the effective dose, varying baseline levels of subjects before randomization, compliance with the intervention, contamination of the placebo group (i.e., intake of vitamin D supplements by subjects allocated to the placebo group) and unknown effective lag time between start of the intervention and disease onset. The present review summarizes the existing knowledge on vitamin D RCTs and cancer. In addition we also briefly describe the design of some ongoing trials on vitamin D supplementation and cancer.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Lazzeroni Matteo, Serrano Davide, Pilz Stefan and Gandini Sara, Vitamin D Supplementation and Cancer: Review of Randomized Controlled Trials, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2013; 13 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871520611307010118
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871520611307010118 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Induction of cell death in cancer cells by modulating telomerase activity using small molecule drugs
Telomeres are distinctive but short stretches present at the corners of chromosomes and aid in stabilizing chromosomal makeup. Resynthesis of telomeres supported by the activity of reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein complex telomerase. There is no any telomerase activity in human somatic cells, but the stem cells and germ cells undergone telomerase ...read more
Role of natural compounds as anti anti-cancer agents
Cancer is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy remains an important approach in treatment o f several types of cancers, even though ...read more
Signaling and enzymatic modulators in cancer treatment
Cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022 and is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the most important approach for the treatment of several ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Vessel Graft Atherosclerosis in Murine Models
Current Drug Targets Hyperfibrinogenemia is Significantly Associated with an Increased Risk of In-hospital Mortality in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients
Current Neurovascular Research Preface (Hot Topic: Endocrine , Metabolic and Immunological Agents Executive Editors : Allan S . Wagman / Wayne L . Cody)
Current Pharmaceutical Design Metallocarboxypeptidases: Emerging Drug Targets in Biomedicine
Current Pharmaceutical Design Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Isolated Aortic Stenosis: Primetime for the Ventricle
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Protective Effect of Natural Antioxidants on Heart Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Damage
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology MicroRNAs: Key Players in Microglia and Astrocyte Mediated Inflammation in CNS Pathologies
Current Medicinal Chemistry Inflammatory Biomarkers Predicting Events in Atherosclerosis
Current Medicinal Chemistry Insulin Therapy for Improving Cardiac Surgical Outcomes
Current Drug Targets Pharmacological Interactions on Blood Pressure Control in Arterial Hypertension, An Issue not to be Overlooked
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Phenolic Compounds as Nutraceuticals or Functional Food Ingredients
Current Pharmaceutical Design Refractory Angina Pectoris: Lessons from the Past and Current Perspectives
Current Pharmaceutical Design Oxidative Stress in the Cochlea: An Update
Current Medicinal Chemistry Treatment of Foot Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus using Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Response and Correction of Immunological Anomalies
Current Pharmaceutical Design Social Media as a Means to Disseminate and Advocate Cardiovascular Research: Why, How, and Best Practices
Current Cardiology Reviews Simultaneous Determination of Six Components in Jingzhiguanxin Tablet by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Current Pharmaceutical Analysis Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity as a Novel Measure of Arterial Stiffness: Present Evidences and Perspectives
Current Hypertension Reviews Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: Does Being Unemployed Matter? Insights from the GSCAD Registry
Current Cardiology Reviews Light-at-Night-Induced Circadian Disruption, Cancer and Aging
Current Aging Science Potential Health Benefits of Berries
Current Nutrition & Food Science